Maryland Welcomes Top-5 Recruiting Class

Maryland Athletics

11-14-2013

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Head coach Mark Turgeon and the University of Maryland men’s basketball team has hauled in a nationally ranked top-5 recruiting class (2014-15) according to multiple recruiting outlets.

“We added four very skilled players who, combined with their outstanding character, will be very welcomed additions to the University of Maryland basketball program,” Turgeon said. “Their personalities will fit in great with their future teammates. With their potential to get better, it should be a really fun group to coach.”

According to national scouting services, Maryland’s class was ranked No. 4 in the country by Scout.com and No.5 by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and 247sports.com.

Wiley, Nickens, Reed and Trimble are all ranked among the top-100 players in the country.

“Maryland has really put an emphasis on recruiting,” said Jerry Meyer of 247sports.com. “Maryland really has a chance to take the program to another level. They are not backing away from a recruiting battle. They have targeted their local and regional prospects and for the most part have been successful landing those players. They have also done a great job expanding their reach nationally. This has had an impact on other recruits. Maryland basketball has done a great job getting their name out there.

This highly touted class follows a pair of Top-20 recruiting classes in Turgeon’s first two seasons as Maryland’s head coach.

“Maryland basketball fans should be very excited about the direction our program is headed under Coach Turgeon’s leadership,” said Kevin Anderson, director of athletics. The 2014-15 class is a testament to the hard work and emphasis that Mark and his staff put into recruiting top student-athletes.”

DION WILEY (6-4, 210, SG, Oxon Hill, Md.)

A four-star prospect and the 4th-ranked shooting guard (28th overall) nationally by Scout.com… four-star prospect and the 17th-ranked shooting guard nationally (46th overall) by 247sports.com…ranked 49th nationally by Rivals.com…played AAU for Team Takeover and made 38-of-79 3-pointers for first three sessions.

Turgeon on Wiley: “When you ask coaches about Dion, they always share how loyal he is to his team and teammates. He is an outstanding young man who has a tremendous upside joining our program. His ability to knock down a jump shot also complements his great passing ability.”

Wiley: “I really like the coaching staff and the style of play at Maryland. It was great the way I was recruited by the entire staff and Coach Turgeon really took an interest in me. I look forward to playing with Roddy Peters, Jake Layman, Nick Faust and the rest of the team.”

Keith Stevens, Team Takeover: “Dion is a hard-working and special player who leads by example. The coaching staff really took pride in building a relationship with Dion’s family and inner circle and it showed. He has great three-point shooting ability and can really open things up with his creativity.”

Eric Bossi, Rivals.com: “Wiley is one of the strongest and most physically tough to handle wings in the class of 2014. He is able to move opponents around with his shoulders and plays through contact with relative ease. Where the future Terp stands out, though, is at shooter. When he’s locked in and has his feet set, his range stretches out to 23 feet and he has a quick and crisp release. He has easy college three-point range. He’s also pretty comfortable shooting off the dribble or curling off of screens to knock down open looks. He’s a scorer with the jumper, but can also punish defenders with his physicality.”

Josh Stirn, 247Sports.com: “Wiley will be able to make an immediate contribution as a shooting guard, most likely off the bench, during his freshman year. Having spent so much time playing against the best high school players in the nation, his transition to the college game should be smooth. He’s also done a great job with Team Takeover playing team basketball and understanding when to pick his spots.”

ROMELO TRIMBLE (6-2, 190, PG, Arlington, Va.)

A four-star prospect, the 6th-ranked point guard nationally and the 33rd-ranked player overall by 247sports.com…a four-star prospect and 8th-ranked point guard nationally (35th overall) by Scout.com… ranked 36th by Rivals.com…played AAU for DC Assault

Turgeon on Trimble: “Romelo is a point guard with great vision who is equally adept as a passer and scorer. He excels in the pick-and-roll and was the first young man to commit to our program and played a pivotal role as we built this outstanding class. He is a winner on and off the court and we’re excited to have him at Maryland.”

Eric Moses, D.C. Assault: “Romelo is a quality person with great work ethic and dedication. He will be a great addition to Maryland. What impresses me the most is his improvement of his all-around game. He has developed into a complete basketball player.”

ESPN.com: “Trimble is a long lean combination guard that has a good feel for the game. He is an excellent shooter with three point range mostly off the catch, but can make scoring plays off the dribble as well.”

Evan Daniels, Scout.com: “Trimble brings versatility to the guard position. He’s a long-range shooter who finishes well with contact. He can score and put the ball in the basket. He’s a very smart player. He’s a true combo guard. His biggest strength is his perimeter game with his quick release and he’s one of the better shooters in the 2014 class.”

Turgeon on Reed: “Trayvon is a long athletic rim-protector and very skilled for his size. He is a willing passer with a big upside and a very bright future.”

Reed: “I feel like Maryland is a great fit for me. Coach Bino Ranson and I formed a strong bond and I feel like the entire coaching staff is down to earth. I take pride in rebounding, blocking shots and running the floor and I’ve been working on my post moves to improve my offensive game.”

Pervis Ellison, Life Academy: “Trayvon is a very quality young man with a very mature mindset in terms of what he wants to achieve in life. He sees the floor well, has fantastic hands and has a great shooting touch.”

Paul Biancardi, ESPN.com: “Trayvon’s got a great combination of size, length and bouncy legs. He’s very mobile and moves well away from the basketball. Fans are going to love him because he can come over from the weak side and block shots. He’s got a great wing span and he’s a terrific finisher around the rim.”

JARED NICKENS (6-6, 180, SF, Norristown, Pa.)

A four-star prospect and 20th-ranked small forward nationally (90th overall) by Scout.com…a four star prospect and the 25th-ranked (97th overall) small forward nationally by 247sports.com …ranked 93rd overall by Rivals.com…Averaged 16 points and five rebounds at Westtown School for the 2012-13 season…

Turgeon on Nickens: “Jared is a long wing player who is an outstanding shooter. He has a tremendous upside and a great feel for the game of basketball.”

Nickens: “It’s very exciting to be attending the University of Maryland. I had a great visit and it was a great fit for me. I love the school. Coach Turgeon, Coach Spinelli and the entire staff had all of the players’ best interests in mind during my visit. This is an outstanding place to fulfill my dream and to succeed both academically and athletically. I’m going to get a great education and Maryland instantly felt like family.”

Seth Berger, Westtown School: “Jared is not only a great young man, but a great teammate. He will fill in very well with Maryland. He has always been a great shooter and now has developed into an outstanding basketball player. He’s an excellent defender, a great communicator and he always finds ways to make his teammates better.”

Jerry Meyer, 247sports.com: “He’s a very versatile player that can do a lot of different things for a team. He can guard more than one position. He’s an effective offensive rebounder and is tough to keep off the boards. He has a great feel for the game.”